Night had spread its black cloak over the plain of Behistun. The stars shone like countless diamonds in the velvet sky, and only the faint, flickering light of the moon made the shadows of the trees dance on the ground. A cool breeze blew through the branches, and the rustling of leaves added a mysterious music to the nocturnal silence. In the deep silence of this darkness, a black figure suddenly separated from the heart of the shadows. Fariborz, the youngest and most cunning member of Kourosh's group, appeared, dressed in completely dark clothes that hid him in the heart of the night. Only his eyes, shining and piercing, glinted in the darkness of the night, as if they were two luminous points observing everything. His long cloak waved in the wind with every step, making him look like a mysterious specter. His presence in the heart of the night was a stark contrast to the brightness of the day and the presence of Arash on the mountain peak, and this difference beautifully showed the hidden and nocturnal nature of his activities.
Little Kourosh was waiting for Fariborz under the dim light of a torch; upon seeing him, he smiled. He knew well that this hidden face was his intelligence arm in the heart of the enemy's territory. Kourosh asked in a calm and meaningful voice, "Fariborz, how far have your eyes observed in these five years? To what extent has the darkness of the night revealed its secrets to you?" This question was not only a reference to the extent of Fariborz's influence and the progress of his espionage network but also a test to gauge the depth of his loyalty and intelligence.
Fariborz, with a humble posture but a confident voice, detailed his achievements: "My lord, the eyes of this watchman have now penetrated all corners of the land of Media, even in the darkest spots. We have succeeded in infiltrating various layers of the Median army; from junior commanders to ordinary soldiers in the garrisons and even the city guard forces. We obtain precise information about military movements, troop displacements, and the morale of the soldiers." He paused and then continued, "Our influence has also extended to the court and the nobles of Media. From among the servants, scribes, and even some disgruntled nobles, we gather valuable information about Astyages's decisions, courtly intrigues, and the extent of dissatisfaction among the grandees. Even the whispers and murmurs of private circles do not remain hidden from our eyes."
Fariborz added with pride, "But most importantly, my lord, our infiltration of the religious establishment of Media, namely the Magian tribe and the Zoroastrian priests, has been very deep. We have managed to create a front of reformists who support your ideas among the younger priests and those with a more open mind. These individuals, who have been captivated by the wisdom of your Achaemenid Avesta and are tired of the extreme traditionalism of the chief Magus Atropates, secretly cooperate with us and provide us with information regarding the writing of the Vendidad, as well as the internal resistance against it. They believe that your wisdom is the true path of Ahura Mazda."
He then pointed to the geographical scope of their influence: "Our network of espionage cells, my lord, has now been established in all the caravanserais and major cities of the Iranian plateau and even among the nomadic tribes. Aban, with his trade network, has provided an unparalleled platform for us. The caravanserais are secure points for exchanging information, and the trade couriers transport our messages with speed and security." Fariborz explained how this large intelligence organization was created: "We have built this organization in layers. Each person knows only a small part of the whole picture and is in contact only with their direct liaison. Up to the higher ranks of this organization, no one knows of the existence of the 'lost Kourosh.' They only receive 'guidance from an unknown but wise source.' This structure has significantly increased the security of the network and minimizes the probability of the entire organization being compromised."
Fariborz continued, "The materials and information that reach us, my lord, are classified into three main categories. For very important and vital news, we use complex codes and ciphers based on the 'New Persian' you invented. These ciphers can only be opened with a special 'key' that you yourself designed, ensuring the security of the information at the highest level. For important and strategic news, simpler encryption methods are used, which include substituting letters or using keywords in ordinary texts. And for general and less important news, the information is sent in plain text, but always via reliable couriers and on secure routes."
He then pointed to a new innovation: "Recently, my lord, we have devised a method of using carrier birds, especially trained pigeons, to transmit urgent messages. These pigeons, which are scattered in secret bases throughout the land, are able to deliver encrypted messages to us in the shortest possible time. This method, especially in times of war, can guarantee our superiority."
Fariborz added with excitement, "Furthermore, our next step is to create a network of spies among the border tribes, such as the Scythians and the Caspians. These individuals, who are fluent in the local languages and customs, will infiltrate these tribes as merchants or shepherds and provide us with information about possible alliances or military threats. Also, using Aban's trade network, we will place spies among the international caravans that travel to distant lands like Egypt and India. These spies will bring us news of Media's foreign relations and the plans of distant enemies."
Kourosh, listening to Fariborz's report, felt an immense pride fill his being. The eyes of the Emperor's Watchmen were now truly observing far and wide, revealing the enemy's secrets in the heart of the night. He thought to himself that this network, beyond being a tool for espionage, was the seed of a great empire whose roots would grow in the darkness and whose branches would flourish in the light. Kourosh looked at Fariborz and said, "You and your eyes are the shadows that create the light of victory. This network not only sees the enemy but also squeezes his heart. Continue, until the day this darkness reveals the light of the Persian Empire to the world."